ABSTRACT

This study compare the performance of microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in diagnosing malaria. A total of 200 new intake students of Federal Government College Ohafia, in Ohafia L.G.A. of Abia State referred to O’ event diagnostic laboratory Umuahia who gave their consents were examined using microscopy and RDTs. Thick and thin blood smears prepared on clean grease free slides from venous blood aseptically collected from each student and stained with giemsa stain were examined for the presence of malaria parasite. The serological diagnosis was performed using CareStart'™ malaria HRP2 (P/) test kits and SD Bioline malaria test kits following manufacturers instructions. Data were analysed using Chi square. Prevalence rates recorded for malaria infection were 24%, 10.5% and 12.0% by microscopy, CareStart'™ malaria HRP2 (Pf) and SD Bioline RDTs respectively. Chi-square test showed significant difference (P<0.03) between microscopy and RDTs. The male students were more infected (27.3%) than the female students (20.8%) with no significant difference (X?=0.83, P>0.05). Prevalence in age group 9-11 years was observed to be highest with no significant difference (X?=0.35, P>0.05) for both microscopy and RDTs. CareStart'™ malaria HRP2 (2/) and SD Bioline malaria sensitivities were 90.5% and 88.0% respectively and specificities were 97.1% and 97.6% respectively. The need for the development of new, simple, quick, accurate, and cost-effective diagnosis tests for determining the presence of malaria parasites can be complemented by the use of RDTSs since the sensitivity and specificity results of the two RDTs used in this study have shown their usefulness as a rapid and simple tool for malaria diagnosis. Deployment of RDTs in school clinics by the State Ministry of Health and other health related organizations especially school clinics without access to microscopy is advised.